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Bert and Ernie: Just friends, not gay, will not marry

The recurring question of whether "Sesame Street" characters Bert and Ernie are gay has raised its head anew. And the answer from "Sesame Street" is, as always, a resounding no.

"Sesame Street" today posted the following statement on its Facebook page:

Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves.

Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.

The announcement was posted in response to petitions that have been circulating around the Internet urging that the two Muppets get married.

There's even a Bert and Ernie Get Married Facebook page hosting a heated conversation about the pros and cons of having the Muppets marry.

Here are some choice excerpts:

Michelle Ashton Ryan: It would be so awesome if bert and ernie got married. im 16 and i would totally start watching sesame street again if they did. :)

Roxanne Vincent: "whats next ??? 2 lesbian muppets??? 4 GOD SAKES!

Samantha Pollack: I am 24 now and I grew up with Bert and Ernie Big Bird and all of that. Even growing up i knew that Bert and Ernie were a couple not brothers. I think that the marriage has been a long time coming. Yes marriage is the next step in a honest and respectable relationship.

Raymond Swinney II: Ok...let's think about this logically. Should the wedding take place, are the two characters going to begin showing public display of affection which they've never done before? The "wedding" would happen in one episode, and then what? The characters would have to be completely re-written, as it were.

The conversation continues on the "Sesame Street" Facebook page, where Sharkey Violet writes: "Muppets do not have sexual orientation? So...all along Miss Piggy was after Kermit for.......his frog legs for supper?"